Brazil: National Programme for Wood Quality updated to meet CN Mark requirements

The National Programme for Wood Quality (PNQM) developed by the Brazilian Association of MechanicallyProcessed Timber Industry (ABIMCI) recently included new procedures such as preventive maintenance of equipment, competency training, customer complaints policy and supplier qualification. The objective is to improve the programme and enable improvements in control and traceability of production.

The PNQM provides a standardised structure for manufacturing process control from the receipt of raw material and inputs to final products packaging and shipping.

Companies that implement PNQM's management system have seen gains in productivity and competitiveness, reduced losses and costs and guaranteed access to the main consumer markets as their products meet national and international technical standards.

The other advantages for companies that implement the PNQM are improvements in internal culture and enhanced product image that leads to greater customer satisfaction.

The process also stimulates continuous improvement and control of the manufacturing process.

The updated PNQM meets the requirements of BM Trada, a certification body in the UK with which ABIMCI has an agreement to facilitate CE Marking certification for structural panels from Brazil.

The CE system requires the manufacturer to meet the requirements of EN (European Standard) through the construction products regulation - CPR (305/2011), governed by standard EN 13986 + A1 2015 for woodbased panels, valid for 28 countries of the European Economic Area and three of the four member states of the EFTA.